Selling a piece of jewelry without having it appraised means accepting a price blindly. You hand over your chain or your ring, you are quoted a figure... and you have no way of knowing whether it is fair. That is how so many people, in Dakar and elsewhere, walk away with less than their gold is actually worth.
Yet having a piece appraised is neither complicated nor intimidating. It is a quick step, often free, that gives you something valuable: a reference figure before you make any decision. Whether you plan to sell, insure, or simply pass a piece down, you have every reason to know what it contains.
At Jayma Or, we appraise and buy gold jewelry in Dakar every day. We test, we weigh in front of you, we explain the price, and we pay cash the same day. Here is how to get your jewelry appraised, step by step.
In this guide, you will learn:
- the difference between a resale appraisal and an insurance appraisal;
- what an appraiser actually checks on your piece;
- the 5 steps to get an appraisal without being taken advantage of;
- the classic pitfalls to avoid at all costs.
Which type of appraisal do you really need?
First thing to clarify: there are several types of appraisals, and they do not serve the same purpose.
- The resale appraisal determines what you can actually get today by selling your piece. It is based on the metal, its purity, its weight, and the daily rate. This is the one you want if you intend to sell.
- The insurance or replacement appraisal estimates the cost of buying an equivalent new piece. It is almost always higher than the resale value - do not confuse the two.
- The gemological appraisal concerns stones (diamonds, sapphires, etc.) and requires a specialized certificate.
The classic mistake? Comparing a resale estimate to an insurance value, then feeling shortchanged. These are two different worlds. For selling, it is the resale value that counts.
What the appraiser actually checks
A serious appraisal rests on measurable facts, not on an impression. Here is what gets checked:
- The type of metal. Solid gold, plated, silver, platinum? A test confirms it.
- The purity. 24-karat gold is 99.9% pure; 21-karat is 87.5%; 18-karat is 75%; 14-karat is 58.3%.
- The weight. Measured to the gram on a precision scale, in front of you.
- The daily rate. The world price of gold, which changes daily, sets the value of one gram.
The hallmark engraved on the piece (24K, 21K, 18K, 14K, or 999, 875, 750, 585) gives an indication, but only a test confirms it. To understand how purity is really checked, read the different methods for checking the purity of gold.
The 5 steps to get your jewelry appraised
Here is the approach we recommend to anyone before selling:
- Gather your jewelry and look for the hallmarks. A magnifying glass is enough. Note what you find, and don't worry if nothing is legible.
- Have an ID ready. A serious buyer verifies the seller's identity; it is a protection, not a suspicious formality. We explain it in this article.
- Ask for a free remote estimate. A simple photo over WhatsApp already gives you a first range, before you travel anywhere.
- Insist on a test and a weighing in front of you. In the shop, everything should happen before your eyes, with the price explained (karat + weight + rate).
- Compare against a public reference. Check the daily rate posted before you accept. That is your best safeguard.
Try it right now: weigh your piece roughly and multiply by the per-gram rate for its karat. You will already have a realistic ballpark figure.
The pitfalls to avoid
A few simple habits protect you from a bad experience:
- Beware of the "by eye" estimate. Without a scale or a test, it is not an appraisal, it is a guess.
- Refuse any evaluation done out of your sight. The test and the weighing are done in front of you, full stop.
- Don't give in to pressure. A genuine appraisal leaves you time to think.
- Get several opinions if the piece is valuable, always keeping the daily rate as a common reference point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a jewelry appraisal cost?
At Jayma Or, the estimate is free and with no obligation, whether by photo or in the shop. Some certified gemological appraisals come at a cost, but for reselling gold, the test and the weighing are enough and cost you nothing.
Do I need an appointment to get jewelry appraised?
Not necessarily, but it is more convenient. You can book an appointment or start with a remote estimate via WhatsApp before traveling.
My piece has no hallmark - can it still be appraised?
Yes. The absence of a hallmark changes nothing: a test determines the real purity precisely, even without an engraved mark.
Does an appraisal oblige me to sell?
Never. An appraisal informs you; the decision to sell is entirely yours. You can leave with your piece and your estimate in mind.
Can I have broken gold or scrap appraised?
Of course. Broken gold, scrap, old jewelry, coins, and bars: everything can be appraised. It is the amount of gold that determines the value, not the condition of the piece.
Take action: get your free appraisal
You now know the types of appraisal, what gets checked, and the pitfalls to avoid. All that remains is to find out the real value of your jewelry.
Get a free, transparent estimate: send a photo of your jewelry over WhatsApp to +221 78 111 66 87, or book an appointment. We test, weigh, and explain everything in front of you, then pay cash the same day if you decide to sell.
Before making any decision, know what you are holding. Check the daily rate, then write to us: the appraisal takes just a few minutes.